DALLAS (PA) – Defending Freedom Conference champion and nationally-ranked Misericordia University opened league action with an 8-0 home victory over Delaware Valley College.

The Cougars, who reached the NCAA Final Four last year, entered the evening as the ninth-ranked team in all of Division III and number two in the region. With the win, they improved to 8-2-1on the year and 1-0 in conference play. The Aggies fell to 2-9-1 and 0-1 in the Freedom.

Misericordia scored seven times in the first half and was led by Megan Mahoney and her three goals and two assists for eight points on the day. Meghan Antrim added two goals while Erin Roberts, Megan Lannigan, and Tina Colatriano each had one of their own.

Delaware Valley generated four shots in the contest, two of which came off the foot of Elisha Taney. Julie Burnell made nine saves in goal for the Aggies and Kelly Mott had two for the Cougars.